Double-direct election would assist resolve municipal finances considerations
The St.Catharines metropolis finances is growing 1.12 per cent, even after transferring $13.5 million in transit prices to Niagara Area.
This mixed with the Area’s proposed 9.4 per cent improve ought to give regional Chair Jim Bradley and Premier Doug Ford’s commissioner who is meant to modernize Niagara one thing to consider.
Metropolis councillors appear to suppose their finances improve is fully separate from the Area’s and so they miss the connection.
The taxpayer will get one invoice.
The double direct metropolis/regional councillor mannequin utilized by Oakville and Burlington of Halton Area forces not less than half of metropolis councillors to vote on the Regional finances in addition to the town finances, so there isn’t a passing the buck.
Durham Area and Halton additionally elect the chair at giant by common vote and all regional councillors sit on a metropolis council inside these Areas. They’re absolutely conscious and accountable for each Regional spending and metropolis spending.
These are higher governance fashions than what Niagara has, not less than with regards to budgets and taxes.
Chair Bradley and the modernizing governance commissioner ought to think about this finances drawback as they draft a advice for Ford. Modernizing Niagara’s governance ought to resolve this budgeting problem a technique or one other.
Alzheimer’s society of nice help
I simply want to touch upon the article within the newspaper by Abby Inexperienced on Alzheimer’s illness.
My husband had Lewy physique dementia which is one other type of dementia. I spent quite a lot of years caring for him. I struggled with the challenges for a lot of of these years however then Alzheimer’s Society of Canada entered the image and helped.
I might encourage individuals to contact them early because the help may be very useful.
My husband’s ultimate days have been spent on the Linhaven long-term care facility the place the care was wonderful. It was a “lengthy goodbye” and my sympathy goes out to any who’s experiencing this.
Sidewalk clearing thanks
I want to thank the householders who kindly and rigorously shovel the snow and ice from their sidewalks.
I might not prefer to thank myriad business companies who don’t, or worse, permit their contractors to pile snow on the general public walkway.
I might particularly not prefer to thank the Metropolis of Niagara Falls for its abandonment of any pretence of making a “walkable group” for 4 months of winter.
Letters welcome
We welcome letters from our readers. Ship them to letters@niagaradailies.com or mail to PO Field 5031 Stn Most important, St. Catharines, Ont., L2R 7T4. Letters needs to be 250 phrases or much less, and could also be edited for size and readability. Please embody your title, handle and telephone quantity for verification functions.
